Napoleon Syndrome: The Rufous Hummingbird

Rufous Hummingbirds travel nearly 4,000 miles from breeding grounds in Alaska and northwest Canada to wintering sites in Mexico. They travel north up the Pacific Coast in spring and return by the Rocky Mountains in late summer and fall.

Being only about 3 inches long this little bird does not take no for an answer! This little male has taken over both of my hummingbird feeders that are on my front porch and my whole yard including the back!  If he’s not dive bombing us, he is clicking up a protest that can be heard a block away (at least it seems that loud)! A few of his chases with his rival ” Spot” (the Anna Hummingbird who lives here all year long) have lasted over an hour, with few breaks in between. Every once in a while “Spot” and his wife are able to sneak in and have a drink!

Rufous has a brilliant orange/red neck that he flashes in the sun and at any intruder of his feeding ground (including us).  Ann’s neck flashes red/purple, all females do not have the brilliant colour….as usual! I have just taken more ( while writing this) and will post them in a day or so . Enjoy these photo’s of “Rufous” while he is still around!

The perfect hiding spot, sitting on a Verbena vine that is attached to my front stairs.

Watching me with interest as I snap his photo! I love the rain drop on his head!

In all his Brilliance!